Credit

Caption

Colon. Computer-enhanced historical artwork of the human colon (or large intestine) showing it's connections of nerve fibres and blood vessels. White nerve fibres with red & blue blood vessels are seen between the brown segmented tube of the colon. The nerves control the involuntary muscular movements (known as peristalsis) which transport food particles along the colon. These nerves are part of the autonomic nervous system. The colon absorbs water & electrolytes from the residue of digestion into the blood stream. The red blood vessels supply fresh blood & blue vessels drain blood. Drawing by the celebrated Italian anatomist Paolo Mascagni (1755-1815).